After a long day at work, there’s nothing like relaxing on the back deck with a cold drink and enjoying a beautiful sunset. If you’re like many homeowners, you’ll enjoy your deck often, whether it’s entertaining friends and family or enjoying a quiet night gazing at the stars. You can transform your backyard into a private retreat or a lively picnic area, depending on how you want to spend your free time. The last thing you need to worry about is dealing with pests and unwanted bacteria that can accumulate if problems are ignored. If you find that there are more mosquitoes on your deck than friends, there could be a problem with standing water under your deck.

How does water collect under your deck? If your area experienced a particularly rainy season, that’s a possibility. Another is that your terrace’s drainage system is not working properly. The water, therefore, has nowhere to go. You will soon discover that your terrace is no longer a place to relax but a place to breed… insects and other creepy crawlies.

So how do you fix the problem? If you had the deck installed by a professional, your first instinct will be to check with the contractor who did the work. Ask them to survey the area to determine the problem and the solution. With most decks, it might be a matter of setting up a slope so water doesn’t trickle through the gaps that will slide to the side after a rain or wash.

Now, that will help get the water off the deck, but what about the puddles underneath?

Aside from the obvious bug problem, neglected buildup can lead to algae and weed growth that damages your lawn. If you do not have an under deck drainage system, you will need to install one as soon as possible. These systems are designed to transport water that collects under the wood and distribute it evenly around the patio, where it can be better absorbed.

If you don’t have the means or the skills to install such a system yourself, you can discuss your options with a reputable contractor who specializes in outdoor home improvement. If the terrace came with the house when you bought it, ask for references and compare prices.

Don’t let a bunch of biting insects ruin your time on your backyard deck. With a working drainage system, you don’t have to put up with standing water.